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Gannett New Jersey

SEASIDE HEIGHTS — New Jersey’s first lady helped ring in summer here Friday when she hammered in the final board of the new boardwalk.

Mary Pat Christie, joined by representatives from Coca-Cola and Seaside Heights, carried a red Coke-themed board to a vacant spot off Franklin Avenue. Then she hammered it in place to ceremoniously complete a months-long effort to rebuild the boardwalk that Superstorm Sandy destroyed.

Christie thanked the workers for braving both hot and frigid days to get the work done.

“I really commend the hard-working people out there for using their sweat to make it happen for us,” she said. “On June 21, we all can enjoy ice cream and amusements.”

Friday’s ceremony was sponsored by Coca-Cola, which welcomed visitors for a free beach day and handed out giveaways. Coke representatives presented Christie a check for $500,000 for the Hurricane Sandy New Jersey Relief Fund.

Christie said it was good to celebrate businesses reopening and the boardwalk, but noted much work remains in the state’s recovery. She promised continued support.

“A lot of people aren’t back home,” Christie said. “That’s kind of the next leg of the project, so to speak, so I pledge we will be here until it is done.”

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